On November 8, 2024, Vytautas Magnus University’s Lithuanian Emigration Institute held a scholarly conference titled “Research on the Lithuanian Diaspora: Expanding Horizons and Future Challenges” at The Valdas Adamkus Presidential Library-Museum to celebrate the Institute’s 30th anniversary. Researchers from various fields presented studies on the cultural history of the diaspora, contemporary migration, and migration policy conducted over the three decades of independence, as well as discussions on methodological and historiographical issues related to diaspora memory.
In his opening speech, VMU Rector Prof. Juozas Augutis welcomed and congratulated the Institute. Scholars from diverse institutions such as VMU, the Lithuanian Institute of History, Vilnius University, Vilnius Academy of Arts, and the Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore attended the conference, presenting their research on Lithuanian diaspora cultural history. The first part of the conference focused on various issues related to the Lithuanian diaspora. Remigijus Misiūnas presented his latest research on the press of the early emigration wave (the so-called “grynoriai”) and letters published within it; Dainius Junevičius discussed the remnants, significant sources, and research prospects of the dwindling Lithuanian diaspora in South Africa; Žydronė Kolevinskienė, Daiva Kuzmickaitė, and Dainius Genys briefly reviewed studies on émigré literature and contemporary migration conducted over the past three decades in Lithuania; Vitalija Stravinskienė discussed research on the Lithuanian diaspora conducted by the Lithuanian Institute of History, highlighting the archives and periodicals preserved there; while Arvydas Pakštalis noted historiographical gaps in UNRRA and Baltic University studies. Presentations by Rasa Žukienė on the efforts of Lithuanian emigrants to communicate with Soviet Lithuania and Regina Laukaitytė on family, kinship, and financial support from the diaspora to Lithuanians during the Soviet era sparked interest and discussion among the audience.
The second part of the conference was devoted to the history of the Lithuanian Emigration Institute. Juozas Skirius reviewed the Institute’s research directions, books, and academic works published over the past three decades, while Daiva Dapkutė presented key moments in the Institute’s history, its relocations “from basement to attic,” and the people who have worked there. The conference concluded with a discussion on “The Major Challenges of Lithuanian Diaspora Research” led by Egidijus Aleksandravičius and joined by Dalia Kuizinienė, Ramūnas Kondratas, and Giedrius Janauskas.
During the conference, newly renovated institute storage facilities and the Bronius Kviklys reading room were opened. All participants had the opportunity to view books published by Institute staff over the past three decades and, for a symbolic €1 donation, select a book from the “Book Mountain.”
Photos by Andrėja Taranda.
